Submitted by: Emily Bern

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 4-8, students use BrainPOP resources to define and give examples of ratios, proportion, and percents. Students then solve word problems and equations to find ratios, proportions and percents.

Materials:

Vocabulary:

ratio, proportion, percent

Preparation:

Preview the BrainPOP movies related to this lesson plan and select the activities you'd like students to complete. Make photocopies as necessary.

Lesson Procedure:

PART ONE: Begin the class with a think-pair-share. Pose the question, “What is a ratio?” In a think-pair-share, students have a few moments to think about their answer, then they turn to a partner to share and discuss their answers. This can also be done in small groups or students can individually write down their answers. When the question is very broad and focuses on an unfamiliar topic, it may be best to put students in small groups.

Record the students’ answers on the board and then create a grade-friendly definition for ratio: A ratio compares two quantities by division. When you compare the part of something to the whole.

Next have students read the Real Life section of the FYI feature. As a class, brainstorm real life situations in which we use ratios. Be sure to note the language we use. Example: at the grocery store-30 cents per pound, at the gas station-$3.25 per gallon, when cooking-1 cup of flour for every 12 cookies.

To get students using the language and practicing the use of ratios, ask the students to use ratios to compare things in their surroundings. For example, ask them to create a ratio comparing the amount of students who like math the most to the students who like science the most.

To assist students, provide them with the following list of steps: 1. Tally the amount of students who like math the most. 2. Tally the amount of students who like science the most. 3. Add those numbers to find out how many students are in the entire class. 4. Now answer, "What is the ratio of students that like math the most to students that like science the most?" (ex- 2 students like math for every 3 students that like science) Write out the answer in three ways.

Allow students to practice forming ratios with ideas from their surroundings.

PART TWO: Tell the students that next you will be talking about proportions. A proportion is like a comparison. Show them the Proportion movie.

Reinforce how to solve a proportion by modeling an example on the board. Then, solve a few as a class.

Next, it's time to practice calculating some proportions. Put some proportions on the board for the students to cross multiply. This can also be done by completing worksheets either in groups or individually.

Give students concrete examples of percents. For example: You can take the day’s schedule and calculate how much of the school day is spent learning math, how much of the school day is spent learning math and science, how much of the entire day is spent in school, how much of the entire day is spent at home, etc.

On their own or in small groups, have students answer the sample problems on the Activities and Quiz on BrainPOP.

Extension Activities:

Have students write their own word problems to work more with ratios, proportions, and percents. Encourage students to explore the Lure of the Labyrinth Game: Employee Cafeteria on BrainPOP's GameUp for more practice and skill reinforcement for percents.

Sounds good to me ill get back to you after im done with showing it to my kids.

KATHRYN HERLICH

I think this Lesson plan on Ratios, Proportions and Percents does a great job allowing students the opportunity to use a variety of different activities and modalities to learn the concepts. I like the use of the FYI section to go in depth into real life grocery shopping in the Do It section. The comic is perfectly aligned to the topic. The paint chart and trashketball fun are great tools to engage the learners. I really liked how part 1 was organized and leads well to part 2 and 3. All of the Activities for the percents section are great, the sort of ridiculous percents around the world, then the sports and the comic all enhance and encourage learning. I would definetely use the entire lesson.